Pope Francis will on Thursday mark the 12th anniversary of his election as leader of the Catholic Church, but he will do so from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for double pneumonia for almost a month.

The latest bulletins from the Vatican on his condition state that he is improving and is no longer in immediate danger, though no indication has been given as to when he will be discharged.

The 88-year-old became pope on 13 March 2013.

However, his continued stay in the hospital, where he was admitted on 14 February, is altering the way Catholics are celebrating the occasion.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, a senior Vatican official known to be close to Francis, described the pope’s anniversary as a reason for gratitude.

“This year, his illness makes us especially aware of the anniversary, especially grateful to God, and redoubling our prayers for his full recovery,” he said.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Francis is the first pope from the Americas.

Elected pontiff at the age of 76, he moved quickly to make an impact.

Over 12 years, he has reorganised the Vatican’s bureaucracy, written four major teaching documents, undertaken 47 foreign trips to more than 65 countries, and canonised more than 900 saints.